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How To Under-Whelm Yourself (2)

Over the course of several blog entries, I am presenting what I’ve discovered to be authentic keys to getting off of the “Overwhelmed” Freeway.

Although I’m posting this as (2) the second in the series, it’s probably better as number (1).

The Power of Choice is Huge

The fact is that a person will never do anything effectively that they haven’t first decided to do. And that applies solidly to this seasonal malady of feeling overwhelmed.

The first real decision is as simple yet counter-intuitive as this, “With everything in and out of my control, I have decided that I will not be overwhelmed!”

Sticking to the Decision is Also Huge

The first chapter of the New Testament book of James tells us that “waffling” is not a good thing. It doesn’t produce results. In fact, even God can’t do anything for the “waffler.” Circumstances will keep presenting logical reasons to become overwhelmed. They must be met with the decision, “Nope. I’ve decided. Feelings of being overwhelmed is unacceptable. Not doin’ it.”

You Can Control What You Think About

In daily life circumstances are most often out of our control. Stuff happens. Often at the seemingly worst possible moment. However, did you know that being overwhelmed is more a fruit of how you think about the circumstances than the circumstances themselves? Dale Carnegie once said, “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It’s what you think about.” That can be accurately applied to feelings of being overwhelmed. That’s why the Apostle Paul stated, “Take your thoughts into captivity!”

Everyone Deals With Feelings of Being Overwhelmed

It’s also important to know that feelings of being overwhelmed is common to man. So, accept that as a reality. But also embrace the reality that you can firmly deal with those feelings regardless of the prevailing circumstances.

I Will Not Be Overwhelmed

That’s your choice, your determination, your decision, your resolve. Stick to it and discover a more satisfying journey of being led, in your heart, by the still waters.

Paint An Inner Picture of Peace

This is HUGE. What we see inside has a powerful effect on how we feel. That, in turn, has a great impact on how things “turn out” for us because how we feel affects how we act and how we act affects the results around us. I’ll blog more about the power of imagination in other posts and how the New Testament word for positive imagination is “hope”….but that’s for later. For now…with the Lord’s help choose the inner images of hope. You can. If it’s difficult it’s because you are too well rehearsed at adding to the negative inner vision and calling it “reality.”

<You practice this inner seeing thing ALL the time…and it DOES affect how you feel.>

You Decided To Be Here

Back in 1979 I was walking down a dirt path near a village in Kenya, East Africa. I heard the Lord say to me, “Do you know why you are here?” <The facts are that it had not been a smooth road getting here>

I was ready to receive a revelation of wisdom, from the Lord, as a secret to winning over adversity. I did, but not what I expected. He said to me, “You are standing here on this little path, today, because you decided to be. I’m so glad I did. That was the trip where I literally saw the dead raised.